How to Install Vinyl in an Aluminum Frame With a Spline

Place the screen frame on a large, flat surface with the inside of the frame facing up. Remove the old spline by locating one end and carefully prying it upward with a screwdriver until you can grab it with a pair of pliers. Pull the spline out of the groove, being careful not to bend the delicate aluminum frame. Pull the old screen material away from the frame. Use the tip of a screwdriver and a paper towel to clean out the groove if necessary. Discard the old screening material and spline.

Measure the frame horizontally and vertically. Add 2 inches to each measurement, so that the screen fabric will overhang the frame by 1 inch on all four sides. Spread the screening material on the work surface. Mark the measurements on the fabric by making small cuts with a utility knife. Place a straight edge on the fabric and cut the required piece. Keep the cuts straight and the corners square to facilitate installation of the screening fabric.

Center the fabric on top of the screen frame. Select one corner of the screen frame as a starting point. Insert one end of the new spline into the end of the groove at that point, pressing both it and the fabric into the groove with the concave wheel of the spline rolling tool. Roll about two inches of spline into the groove, then stop. Use the utility knife to make a 45-degree cut in each corner of the fabric up to the edge of the frame to relieve pressure on the fabric.

Roll the spline into the groove on top of the screening with the spline tool until you come to the next corner. Use a screwdriver to carefully push the spline into the corner of the screen frame, then continue rolling with the spline tool. Keep tension on the fabric as you roll in the spline so the screening will be taut across the frame. Try to keep the fibers in the fabric parallel with the frame edge as well for a more visually pleasing effect. Stop at the last corner and trim the spline so that it just touches the end of the groove, then press it in with the screwdriver.

Examine the screen to make sure you're happy with the end result. Trim the excess screening from the frame with the utility knife.